Car roof



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Oct. 11, 1927.

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Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNEEE W ILLIJAM D. THOMESON, '01 DETROIT, MECHIGAN, ASSIGNUB, BY lvIESNE AldSIGIJlET' Ti HUTCHIHS GAR E'QOISING CC IVTPAIEY, 0F DETROIT, WEIGHTS-AN, A CUREGBATION '03? DELAVJARE.

CAR ROOF.

Application filed January 28, 1924. Serial No. 689.392.

The invention relates to car roofs of the type known as flexible in which load-sustaining metallic roofing sheets are relatively movable and are provided with weatherprooiing means. \Vith such roofs the car body is provided with a skeleton roof frame composed of carlines, purlins, side and end plates, and to hold this frame square, it is usual to provide gussets or other bracing means located at the opposite ends. This bracing is not, however, sufficient to hold the frame from weaving, but the flexible roof will permit such action without detriment.

It is the objectof the present invention to provide improved means for holding the frame square and for imparting a great rigidly thereto without limiting the flexibility of the main portion of the roof. To this end the invention comprises a rigid panel ex tending across between the side plates and rigidly secured thereto and to the end of the car. This panel may, if desired, form a portion of the weatherprooflng roof, or it may be used purely for structural purposes and the weather-proofing secured by other means. With either construction the main portion of the car roof is composed of relatively movable load sustaining roofing sheets supported upon a skeleton roof frame and providing flexibility under road stresses.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a portion of th roof frame;

Figure 2 is a cross-section;

Figures 3 and 4c are longitudinal sections respectively on lines 3-3 and H of Figure 9;

Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views similar to Figures 1 to l respectively showing a modified construction;

Figure 9 is a cross section in a different plane from Figure 2.

In the construct-ion of Figures 1 to 4, A are the side plates of the car, which as shown B is the car end shown as a metallic plate construction. C are metallic carlines of inverted channel cross .section extending from side plate to side plate, and D are purlins extending longitudinally and secured to said carlines.

Between the end of the car and the first carline there is arranged a metallic panel E, which, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, extends in a horizontal plane and has clownturned flanges F at its sides and end riveted respectively to the side plates and metallic end. This panel is also rigidly secured to the carline C and to conform to the arched. shape of the latter, there is provided on the panel an upstanding flange (1 tern'linating in a laterally extending flange H riveted to the foot flange I of the carline. Thus the panel E will form an exceedingly rigid brace which holds the frame of the cal-square, at least in the end portions thereof.

Qverlying the skeleton frame and supported upon the purlins l) are the load sustain. ing metallic roofing sheets J, which may he of any suitable construction and secured in any suitable manner to provide for relative movement. As shown, each sheet is provided with upstanding side flanges K arranged adjacent to the carlines and embraced by, the weatherprooflng caps L. These caps are provided with foot flanges M, which bear upon the roofing sheets and are clamped thereon by bolts N engaging the cal-lines C. If the sheets extend only from ridge to eaves, ridge caps O are provided for weatherprooflng the joint at the ridge, while at the eaves the sheets are provided with downturned return-' bent flanges P for engaging a downwardly flanged facia strip Q secured to the .side of the car.

A flexible roof also extends over the panel E and to this end there issecured to the latter purlins D for supporting the end roofing sheets J which are provided with upstanding side flanges K. The car end B, which, as shown, is a metallic plate, extends upward above the plane of the panel E and has secured thereto the facia strip Q over which th depending eav-e flange J extends. Thus the flexible roof extends over the en tire car frame.

l/Vith the construction described, in service the roof is free to flex and weave, but the frame is held from too great distortion and is maintained substantially square With the ends.

With the construction shown in Figures 5 to 8 the end panel E forms a portion of the weatherproof roof Without any additional covering. Instead of extending in a horizontal plane, the panel in this construction is pitched from ridge to eaves, but is upon a lower plane than the main portion of the roof. There is also an upstanding flange G at the inner end of this panel terminating in a laterally extending flange H to the central portion of which the ridge purlin D is secured. The intermediate purlins D are beneath the flange H and are secured to a bracket member R riveted or otherwise secured to the panel and projecting inward therefrom. The flange H is apertured for the passage of a bolt R which secures the )urlin to the bracket B. An end facia strip b is preferably bolted tothe flange G and forms a means of securing thereto the depending flange of the end roofing sheet J.

The operation of this modified construction is essentially the same as that of the construction previously described, with the exception that the panel E performs the additional function of a weatherproofing roof over a portion of the roof frame.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a car roof, the combination with a skeleton roof frame comprising side plates, carlines, purlins andoar ends, of a metallic panel extending in a horizontal plane between said side plates and between the car end and first carline, said panel being rigidly secured to the side plates,and a flexible roof overlying said roof frame and panel.

2. In a car roof, the combination with a skeleton roof frame comprising side plates, car ends, carlines and purlins, of a metallic panel extending across in a horizontal plane between said side plates and between said car end and the first carline, said panel being provided with edge flanges rigidly secured to the side plates and car end and provided on its inner side with an upstanding and laterally extending flange conforming to the shape of the carlines and rigidly attached thereto, and a flexible weatherproofing roof overlying said roof frame and panel.

8. In a car roof, the combination with a skeleton frame comprising side plates, car ends, carlines and purlins, of a metallic panel extending in a horizontal plane between the side plates and between the oar' end and first carline, said panel being marginally flanged and rigidly secured to the adjacent parts of said frame, purlin sections mounted above said metallic panel, and a flexible roof comprising relatively movable rooting sheets, and weatherprooiing means therefor, said roof overlying the entire skeleton frame including said rigid panel.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

IVILLIAM D. THOMPSON.

Ill) 

